Car Hunting

Just When You thought Your Decision Was Final...

As long as you drive a vehicle, there will always be a time where you will need to purchase one either new or pre-owned. The bottom line is the appeal, power and your budget.

Making a list of vehicles and considering your options ought to be part of your plan. Provide yourself with a Lemon Aid Guide and do as much research as you are comfortable with.

In this Lens, we will go over some guidelines on how to come prepared for the serious shop and drive of your future vehicle!

Yes, It's Another Diversion... 'But Sweetie It's A 1990 Miata For Only $4,500!'

Yes, It's Another Diversion... 'But Sweetie It's A 1990 Miata For Only $4,500!'

Ah Ha! - At Least Herman Can Handle It

Larger than life and too large for his car, Herman Munster presses on in his Drag-u-la convertible race car in the 1966 movie "Musters Go Home". A very funny classic but he has grace in this race for a big fella.

Reminds me of what my Hubby looks like trying to fit into a Miata without the peace sign. Yup, so near yet so far! ...Next!

Photo of Herman is Courtesy of Nostalgiaonwheels.com and Universal Pictures Company Inc.

Guidelines For Car Shopping

Have Fun But Don't Get Distracted! That is a 2008 Nissan Roadster, Uh Huh!

Here is some basic guidelines to begin your shopping process:

1. Budget - via your bank or dealer for financing (be prepared)

2. Type of Vehicle that you want by way of:

a. affordability - is it within your budget?

b. usability - Horsepower

c. look - lure, sport or class

d. mileage on gas - fuel economy

e. practicality - does it have all your criteria and is it practical?

3. Brand New or Used (Pre-owned)

Regardless of the 'D' word, Depreciation, buying new is the best of all worlds (with a standard or extended warranty). Yet a budget is a budget, so go forth and shop wise for that pre-owned vehicle. With a preowned vehicle you can expect to get all maintenance documentation on the vehicle and have it further checked from a mechanic prior to purchase, if necessary.

4. Distraction

All kidding aside, it is fun to shop and to dream of the alternatives could have had or may still have in future. It can be exhausting though when you are rubber necking for the ultimate 'fun' car... whatever that may be!

Car hunting is very much like being that proverbial 'kid in a candy store'! And without a list or a specific type of vehicle in mind, it can be quite daunting. Nevertheless, test driving is fun and at your disposal provided the Dealer will allow it (which they often do as long as they have your driver's license, of course). It's the only sure way to test out the performance of that choice vehicle!

The interesting thing to make note about is that the shopping for any particular type will naturally steer you onto a platform to justify the cost vs luxury and compatibility from the consideration of a pre-owned to brand new vehicle. Anytime a moderate figure lights up at the starting point of that vehicle you may find tangible for purchase, you suddenly find yourself approached on the collaborative upgrade packages and accessories. When figuring out an estimated cost, this doesn't include the hidden costs like certain levies, processing fees and state/provincial taxes or the GST in Canada.

In summary, weigh out the pros and cons of each vehicle and highlight your top 5 when narrowing down the price for those wheels.

Recommended Crossovers for 2013 - To Name A Few...!

2010 Lexus Crossover - Seriously considered this one too!

Mmmmm... this is a 2010 Lexus RX 350 (with everything including DVD screens in back seat with earphones) which is cool feature to share when you have no kids but enjoy taking turns in the back seat while one of you drive. Or, alternatively, have a date night in the back seat of the vehicle and let the ambiance takes its course!

Since this baby was preowned, it's selling for a little over $36,000...!

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Kimberley Vico 4 years ago

@SavioC: Hellllooooo SavioC! Thank you so much for your feedback and your interest in my Lens on Car Hunting! It was definitely a process but came out winning with one of our first Top Choice Cars and glad we did it! Thanks to Vernon Nissan! I'll be sharing more on this article, so stay tuned....!

SavioC 4 years ago

Hi. It's a nice lens you have put on. I used to own a garage where I would paint cars and many customers often came to me for advice on Pre-owned cars . Here in India we check at certain places in the car to see if the car had been re-painted which means either there was an accident or some work had been done. Your lens got back some memories. I wish you all the best and looking forward to some more lens from you.

Author

Kimberley Vico 4 years ago

@HSP Connections: Hello there Denmarkguy! Your comments convey an interesting outlook and reality into car hunting - I wonder if a Crossover/SUV type like the Nissan Murano would suit your needs bearing height as a factor. Thank you for your comments and for the visit!

Peter Messerschmidt 4 years agofrom Port Townsend, WA, USA

Well, my vehicle shopping experiences usually begin (and end) with the fact that I am 6'4" and am limited to the handful of models that really work for tall people... both in terms of headroom AND legroom. Lots of vehicles have one... OR the other. I drive sellers nuts because I am NOT willing to fold myself into a car that "sort of" fits me...